As I wrote that word, “Review,” I thought, “Who am I to be writing a review about Gord?” Well, the answer is simple. I’m just a fan. One of millions around the world. Except I’m one of the luckier so-and-so’s to have seen him in concert. And that’s why I’m doing this – for all the other fans who aren’t able to see him this time around. And again – I’m gonna try to tell it like I felt it.

When I entered the darkened Orleans Hotel showroom Saturday night, there were people talking in hushed tones, excited whispers, and looks being exchanged that said, “Aren’t we the luckiest sons-of-bitches to be here tonight?” Brink (Deb) sat on my right, second row center, aisle seats. One row up, over to our right sat John & Susan Fowles. We had met up earlier for dinner with (codename) Hkusam, whose real name is Richard. I’d seen him walking around earlier in the casino area and had wanted to point out to Deb, “Look, that guy looks like Al Pacino!” But, I never did. So, when he walked up to us as we were waiting and asked whether we were waiting for someone, and we said yes, he said, “I’m Richard,” we shrieked, “RICHARD!” and proceeded to throw our arms around him. (Hey – friendships grow fast here at Corfid.) What a cool guy! So…. yes, Richard was there, too, in the audience, as were many others from Corfid and the newsgroup of whom I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time earlier at dinner: Melissa Joe, Dennis, Wendy, Derek, Donnie, Ed, and Val. Sorry if I missed anyone else!

Within minutes, the doors behind us closed, a hush fell over the room, and one by one, the band filed out and took their places. We started our rapturous applause and there were plenty of hoots and hollers. Gord got right down to business and started with, “Let It Ride.” A huge surprise for me because “East of Midnight is my second favorite album of his, the first being, “Dream Street Rose.” Next came “Rainy Day People.” ‘Oh, yeahhhhhh,’ I thought, ‘A night of my favorites!!!’

He introduced his next song, “Harmony,” much in the same way as last week in Agoura Hills, referring to the emotional anguish which led him to write it, with a little help (not from a person)…. and I’ll just leave it at that!!! Next was another favorite of mine, “Ring Them Bells,” after which he laughingly said, “Well, I guess we’ll go back to our own repertoire!” The next song is one I’ll lovingly call ‘Bruna’s Song.’ Ohhhhhh, I bet you want to know which one that was???!!! O.K., O.K., I’ll stop fooling around: it was “Christian Island.” He nailed it, Bru. And it was beautiful. &lt;sigh&gt;….&lt;sigh&gt;….. &lt;slapping self&gt; O.K.! Back to the review….right, sorry… Next, if I’m not mistaken (because I’m relying on an increasingly older and faulty memory!) he started to talk about tall ships and such… then he got off on a tangent, talking about his surgery (What a chatty guy!! Who knew??!!), and the next thing we knew, he’d swung into “In My Fashion.” (Ooooo……K. Guess we’re not going to hear “Ghosts of Cape Horn” this time! But, another favorite! &lt;Sheryl doing the Happy Dance&gt Then, more “Gord-chat.” It was amazing. From everything I’ve ever read, he’s never been a particularly talkative guy in concert. Tonight, he was positively warm and fuzzy, talking to us as if we were old friends getting together for a “catch-up.” We were alternately laughing and, sometimes, gasping in shock at how open The Man had become about his private life. I think it was because he knew we all cared about him and that he was, truly, in the company of friends and well-wishers.

Then he sang, “Don Quixote.” (Did I mention this was a favorite of mine?!), followed by “Clouds of Loneliness.” There’s this one section in there (a “riff?”) that Terry plays that just slays me, and he did it beautifully, receiving a special applause from us right after that part (which surprised him a bit!). By this time in the concert, I was about seven feet off my seat – had he been reading my mind about “the perfect set list?” Next was “Restless.” Needless to say, there was huge applause between each song. Gord was very pleased by our response. He smiled each time, broader and broader, gaining confidence each time. How could he not be? I wondered… He’s gotta know we love him. So, amidst the applause, I shouted that out --“WE LOVE YOU!” And, although he seemed tired when he started, by this time in the concert, he was fine!

To digress for a moment, earlier in the day, Deb and I had decided, spur-of-the-moment, to stop in the hotel’s gift shop to look for some souvenirs. She was picking out some items and we were standing at the counter as she was choosing between certain ones, when suddenly her jaw dropped and I said, “What?” She looked kinda funny like that. “What?” I repeated. She blurted out, “WE’RE GOING TO SEE YOU LATER!” I swiveled my head left and THERE, to my left, not six inches from me, was GORD!!! EEEEEEEEEEK!!!! I said, “OH, MY GOD!” And Deb and I both started talking at once, eating up the man with our eyes. Oops, too late! He’d been recognized by another fan, also a woman around my age, and I wanted to tell her, “Go away! We got him first!” But, I didn’t!! She told him, “Thank you for the music!” and he very kindly replied, “You’re welcome.” Then, turned back to us. (EEEEEEK!!) I shut up at this point and let Deb talk, because I’d had the extreme good fortune of meeting him the week prior after the show… so this was her turn. But, oh, man, if eyes could talk…..so Deb jabbered on and I guess I did, too, and then she asked him for a memento, and he said to meet him in 15 minutes…. and we did! I won’t say anything more because I don’t want to spoil any surprises for anyone….However, I will say that Deb asked him to play a certain song for a fellow Corfidian. We were pretty sure she’d asked him to play it at Massey. O.K., fast forward back to the concert….

Next up came some familiar, but, not too familiar, strains… Oh my God! He’s playing “The Watchman’s Gone!” And he nailed it, Watchman!! To the wall! If it’s worth anything at all, we tried for Massey…we really did… so, hopefully, you’ll get a command performance at Massey. But, you were there in spirit…because we were thinking of you!

Then he got chatty again, telling us more about his life and about how “Watchman” was written around the same time period as his next song, “Sundown.” God, I love that song. Everyone does. We almost wouldn’t let him play it, we kept applauding so much and shouting! Man, it was good! Just brings you back almost 30 years…I know I was wrapped up in my memories of long ago, as was, I’m sure, everyone there that night. Next came “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” bringing special shouts and applause both before and after. Then, he stopped to chat a bit more, mentioning the “Even Stevens” bit he’d talked about the week before. Then he sang “I Used to Be a Country Singer.” He said it was written by his nephew’s singing partner. Oh, he hadn’t mentioned *that* part last week….

Then, another trip down memory lane as he played, “Carefree Highway.” I think I almost felt the wind in my hair. I remember closing my eyes momentarily -- *only* momentarily – didn’t want to take my eyes off of him too long! He gently segued into a medley of “Spanish Moss” and “Shadows.” God, that song makes me misty.

Gord then talked about his love of his hometown, Orillia, and how he’d always wanted to write a song about it and get the name of the lake it sits on, Couchiching, in the song, as well. Looks like he did it! “Couchiching” was next on the list. But, no matter how much that song means to Gord, it’s probably right up there with how much his next song, “If You Could Read My Mind” means to me. Brought back lots of memories… He had to wait a bit to begin his next song because of the clapping, shouting, and whistling after that one…then, as we settled down again, he swung into “On the High Seas.” “Old Dan’s Records” came next, leaving me wondering, ‘Hmm, wonder what he’ll do for an encore… he’s been doing this one!’ Around this time, someone came up to the stage and placed a bouquet of flowers on it while Gord was playing. After “Old Dan’s Records,” the band filed out while Gord waved, then strode off stage. Applause, applause, didn’t take long, and they were back! Yes! He played “Early Morning Rain” for his encore. Someone else came up and stood there, holding out another bouquet for Gord, which he took. He stood there and waved and nodded his head to us, then walked backstage. Why does this man always leave making you want more? Good to know there’s another show. And, my CD’s. &lt;sigh&gt;.

I’m just sitting here now looking at the lyrics to “Let It Ride,” wondering, why was this song first? I read them through and thought, ‘Yes…. very appropriate for Gord now. Maybe more so now.’ Here are the lyrics to “Let It Ride” as taken off the inner CD liner:

“These are just the simple facts
I will relate to you,
Though they are not connected
each and every one is true.
If they seem a bit untidy
well unraveling them is fun,
I will not stand corrected
I have not harmed anyone.
I just let it ride, ride let it ride,
Leave on the evenin’ tide, Just let it ride.

When I listen to my heart
I sometimes fail to find,
One sane and simple answer on
the bright side of my mind.
Even when I’m sleeping, I can’t seem to unwind,
I just let it ride.

I knew a man from Windsor
went to Detroit every night,
And stateside of the tunnel
Customs agents gave him flight.
He threw his stash in the river
and his bedroll on the ground,
And when they finally got there
a sleeping man was all that they found.
He just let it ride, ride let it ride,
Leavin’ on the evenin’ tide, Just let it ride.

Hear the steeple bells ring out
above my lobster pots,
I might be out here fishin’ man
But that ain’t where it stops.
The mouths I feed are many,
An’ they all say thanks a lot.
They just let it ride.

One day when I’m old and gray
‘n consider what’s gone by,
I always will be proud of
every tear I ever cried.
And all of the old jokes we told
around the candle light,
To all those tender damsels
who had helped us in the night.
They just let it ride, ride let it ride,
Leavin’ on the evenin’ tide, Just let it ride.
(Guitar) I’m gonna let it ride. (Guitar)

Here’s to all the girls from London
and the ones from Montreal,
We never will forget them
We still fantasize them all.
I knew one in St. Louis
on a Missouri afternoon,
I met one up in Shanghai
and another in Rangoon.
I just let it ride, ride let it ride,
Leavin’ on the evenin’ tide, Just let it ride.
Ride ride ride, I’m gonna let it ride,
Leavin’ on the evenin’ tide, Just let it ride.

Let it ride, Gord. You’re the best.

WITH MUCH LOVE AND THANKS TO RICHARD (HKUSAM) FOR WRITING DOWN THE SET LIST FOR ME!!! I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU, RICHARD!!

Sheryl, I think you should see Barry about a job! You do an excellent job of reviewing the shows. I made a comment to a friend on the plane about taking out the memories of the concert from time to time, examining them once more, and putting them away carefully for later. You did that for me...thanks!
(A. P.)

Sheryl,
&lt;&lt;The next song is one I’ll lovingly call ‘Bruna’s Song.’ Ohhhhhh, I bet you want to know which one that was???!!! O.K., O.K., I’ll stop fooling around: it was “Christian Island.” He nailed it, Bru. And it was beautiful. &lt;sigh&gt;….&lt;sigh&gt;….. &lt;slapping self&gt; O.K.! Back to the review….right &gt;&gt;

Thank you! And thanks too for another great review - I'm even happy for you and Debs - meeting him in the Gift Shop. Yes, I am (convince yourself Bru. Try harder! :D ) ... magic moments to treasure.
*sigh*

Damn Sheryl, I have to stop reading your reviews because they leave me with a feeling of being homesick! Brings back all kinds of good memories from the concerts I've attended and all the good memories that will last a lifetime.

I think he always leaves us wanting more because we know we are in the presence of a man who cannot be replaced. We don't take his music or his concerts for granted and I don't know about anyone else, but I always feel privledged to be in the audience.

Gord's music has been with me through the never ending roller coaster ride of my life and to see him perform those songs in front of me, is truly special. It sure is a blessing for us to still be able to see this man in concert you can't get enough of that.

Every time someone meets Gord they always say how humble he is. Maybe it's because he doesn't believe his own hype or maybe it's because his presence humbles those around him. Probably both.

Glad to see Jack Tripper took a night off!

__________________
Coffee; the industrial lubricant of society. I'm much too tired to imagine my toil without this potent tonic that so generously replenishes my efficacy.--TheWatchman

This part sounds very interesting...
An inquiring mind would love to know more!
Kimberly

"Sheryl Klein" &lt;Sheryl97@sbcglobal.net&gt; wrote:
To digress for a moment, earlier in the day, Deb and I had decided,
spur-of-the-moment, to stop in the hotel's gift shop to look for some
souvenirs. She was picking out some items and we were standing at the
counter as she was choosing between certain ones, when suddenly her jaw
dropped and I said, "What?" She looked kinda funny like that.
"What?" I repeated. She blurted out, "WE'RE GOING TO SEE YOU
LATER!" I swiveled my head left and THERE, to my left, not six
inches from me, was GORD!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!! I said,
"OH, MY GOD!" And Deb and I both started talking at once, eating
up the man with our eyes. Oops, too late! He'd been recognized by
another fan, also a woman around my age, and I wanted to tell her,
"Go away! We got him first!" But, I didn't!! She told him,
"Thank you for the music!" and he very kindly replied, "You're
welcome." Then, turned back to us. (EEEEEEK!!) I shut up at this
point and let Deb talk, because I'd had the extreme good fortune of
meeting him the week prior after the show... so this was her turn.
But, oh, man, if eyes could talk.....so Deb jabbered on and I guess I
did, too, and then she asked him for a memento, and he said to meet him
in 15 minutes.... and we did! I won't say anything more because I
don't want to spoil any surprises for anyone....However, I will say
that Deb asked him to play a certain song for a fellow Corfidian. We
were pretty sure she'd asked him to play it at Massey. O.K., fast
forward back to the concert....

I had asked Gord if he thought he would play a Watchman's Gone in Massey because there was a guy (The Watchman) that really wanted to hear it. Then he played it Saturday Night which totally could have been his plan anyway. I don't think that his abdominal muscles liked singing it though.

As I wrote that word, “Review,” I thought, “Who am I to be writing a review about Gord?” Well, the answer is simple. I’m just a fan. One of millions around the world. Except I’m one of the luckier so-and-so’s to have seen him in concert. And that’s why I’m doing this – for all the other fans who aren’t able to see him this time around. And again – I’m gonna try to tell it like I felt it.

When I entered the darkened Orleans Hotel showroom Saturday night, there were people talking in hushed tones, excited whispers, and looks being exchanged that said, “Aren’t we the luckiest sons-of-bitches to be here tonight?” Brink (Deb) sat on my right, second row center, aisle seats. One row up, over to our right sat John & Susan Fowles. We had met up earlier for dinner with (codename) Hkusam, whose real name is Richard. I’d seen him walking around earlier in the casino area and had wanted to point out to Deb, “Look, that guy looks like Al Pacino!” But, I never did. So, when he walked up to us as we were waiting and asked whether we were waiting for someone, and we said yes, he said, “I’m Richard,” we shrieked, “RICHARD!” and proceeded to throw our arms around him. (Hey – friendships grow fast here at Corfid.) What a cool guy! So…. yes, Richard was there, too, in the audience, as were many others from Corfid and the newsgroup of whom I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time earlier at dinner: Melissa Joe, Dennis, Wendy, Derek, Donnie, Ed, and Val. Sorry if I missed anyone else!

Within minutes, the doors behind us closed, a hush fell over the room, and one by one, the band filed out and took their places. We started our rapturous applause and there were plenty of hoots and hollers. Gord got right down to business and started with, “Let It Ride.” A huge surprise for me because “East of Midnight is my second favorite album of his, the first being, “Dream Street Rose.” Next came “Rainy Day People.” ‘Oh, yeahhhhhh,’ I thought, ‘A night of my favorites!!!’

He introduced his next song, “Harmony,” much in the same way as last week in Agoura Hills, referring to the emotional anguish which led him to write it, with a little help (not from a person)…. and I’ll just leave it at that!!! Next was another favorite of mine, “Ring Them Bells,” after which he laughingly said, “Well, I guess we’ll go back to our own repertoire!” The next song is one I’ll lovingly call ‘Bruna’s Song.’ Ohhhhhh, I bet you want to know which one that was???!!! O.K., O.K., I’ll stop fooling around: it was “Christian Island.” He nailed it, Bru. And it was beautiful. &lt;sigh&gt;….&lt;sigh&gt;….. &lt;slapping self&gt; O.K.! Back to the review….right, sorry… Next, if I’m not mistaken (because I’m relying on an increasingly older and faulty memory!) he started to talk about tall ships and such… then he got off on a tangent, talking about his surgery (What a chatty guy!! Who knew??!!), and the next thing we knew, he’d swung into “In My Fashion.” (Ooooo……K. Guess we’re not going to hear “Ghosts of Cape Horn” this time! But, another favorite! &lt;Sheryl doing the Happy Dance&gt Then, more “Gord-chat.” It was amazing. From everything I’ve ever read, he’s never been a particularly talkative guy in concert. Tonight, he was positively warm and fuzzy, talking to us as if we were old friends getting together for a “catch-up.” We were alternately laughing and, sometimes, gasping in shock at how open The Man had become about his private life. I think it was because he knew we all cared about him and that he was, truly, in the company of friends and well-wishers.

Then he sang, “Don Quixote.” (Did I mention this was a favorite of mine?!), followed by “Clouds of Loneliness.” There’s this one section in there (a “riff?”) that Terry plays that just slays me, and he did it beautifully, receiving a special applause from us right after that part (which surprised him a bit!). By this time in the concert, I was about seven feet off my seat – had he been reading my mind about “the perfect set list?” Next was “Restless.” Needless to say, there was huge applause between each song. Gord was very pleased by our response. He smiled each time, broader and broader, gaining confidence each time. How could he not be? I wondered… He’s gotta know we love him. So, amidst the applause, I shouted that out --“WE LOVE YOU!” And, although he seemed tired when he started, by this time in the concert, he was fine!

To digress for a moment, earlier in the day, Deb and I had decided, spur-of-the-moment, to stop in the hotel’s gift shop to look for some souvenirs. She was picking out some items and we were standing at the counter as she was choosing between certain ones, when suddenly her jaw dropped and I said, “What?” She looked kinda funny like that. “What?” I repeated. She blurted out, “WE’RE GOING TO SEE YOU LATER!” I swiveled my head left and THERE, to my left, not six inches from me, was GORD!!! EEEEEEEEEEK!!!! I said, “OH, MY GOD!” And Deb and I both started talking at once, eating up the man with our eyes. Oops, too late! He’d been recognized by another fan, also a woman around my age, and I wanted to tell her, “Go away! We got him first!” But, I didn’t!! She told him, “Thank you for the music!” and he very kindly replied, “You’re welcome.” Then, turned back to us. (EEEEEEK!!) I shut up at this point and let Deb talk, because I’d had the extreme good fortune of meeting him the week prior after the show… so this was her turn. But, oh, man, if eyes could talk…..so Deb jabbered on and I guess I did, too, and then she asked him for a memento, and he said to meet him in 15 minutes…. and we did! I won’t say anything more because I don’t want to spoil any surprises for anyone….However, I will say that Deb asked him to play a certain song for a fellow Corfidian. We were pretty sure she’d asked him to play it at Massey. O.K., fast forward back to the concert….

Next up came some familiar, but, not too familiar, strains… Oh my God! He’s playing “The Watchman’s Gone!” And he nailed it, Watchman!! To the wall! If it’s worth anything at all, we tried for Massey…we really did… so, hopefully, you’ll get a command performance at Massey. But, you were there in spirit…because we were thinking of you!

Then he got chatty again, telling us more about his life and about how “Watchman” was written around the same time period as his next song, “Sundown.” God, I love that song. Everyone does. We almost wouldn’t let him play it, we kept applauding so much and shouting! Man, it was good! Just brings you back almost 30 years…I know I was wrapped up in my memories of long ago, as was, I’m sure, everyone there that night. Next came “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” bringing special shouts and applause both before and after. Then, he stopped to chat a bit more, mentioning the “Even Stevens” bit he’d talked about the week before. Then he sang “I Used to Be a Country Singer.” He said it was written by his nephew’s singing partner. Oh, he hadn’t mentioned *that* part last week….

Then, another trip down memory lane as he played, “Carefree Highway.” I think I almost felt the wind in my hair. I remember closing my eyes momentarily -- *only* momentarily – didn’t want to take my eyes off of him too long! He gently segued into a medley of “Spanish Moss” and “Shadows.” God, that song makes me misty.

Gord then talked about his love of his hometown, Orillia, and how he’d always wanted to write a song about it and get the name of the lake it sits on, Couchiching, in the song, as well. Looks like he did it! “Couchiching” was next on the list. But, no matter how much that song means to Gord, it’s probably right up there with how much his next song, “If You Could Read My Mind” means to me. Brought back lots of memories… He had to wait a bit to begin his next song because of the clapping, shouting, and whistling after that one…then, as we settled down again, he swung into “On the High Seas.” “Old Dan’s Records” came next, leaving me wondering, ‘Hmm, wonder what he’ll do for an encore… he’s been doing this one!’ Around this time, someone came up to the stage and placed a bouquet of flowers on it while Gord was playing. After “Old Dan’s Records,” the band filed out while Gord waved, then strode off stage. Applause, applause, didn’t take long, and they were back! Yes! He played “Early Morning Rain” for his encore. Someone else came up and stood there, holding out another bouquet for Gord, which he took. He stood there and waved and nodded his head to us, then walked backstage. Why does this man always leave making you want more? Good to know there’s another show. And, my CD’s. &lt;sigh&gt;.

I’m just sitting here now looking at the lyrics to “Let It Ride,” wondering, why was this song first? I read them through and thought, ‘Yes…. very appropriate for Gord now. Maybe more so now.’ Here are the lyrics to “Let It Ride” as taken off the inner CD liner:

“These are just the simple facts
I will relate to you,
Though they are not connected
each and every one is true.
If they seem a bit untidy
well unraveling them is fun,
I will not stand corrected
I have not harmed anyone.
I just let it ride, ride let it ride,
Leave on the evenin’ tide, Just let it ride.

When I listen to my heart
I sometimes fail to find,
One sane and simple answer on
the bright side of my mind.
Even when I’m sleeping, I can’t seem to unwind,
I just let it ride.

I knew a man from Windsor
went to Detroit every night,
And stateside of the tunnel
Customs agents gave him flight.
He threw his stash in the river
and his bedroll on the ground,
And when they finally got there
a sleeping man was all that they found.
He just let it ride, ride let it ride,
Leavin’ on the evenin’ tide, Just let it ride.

Hear the steeple bells ring out
above my lobster pots,
I might be out here fishin’ man
But that ain’t where it stops.
The mouths I feed are many,
An’ they all say thanks a lot.
They just let it ride.

One day when I’m old and gray
‘n consider what’s gone by,
I always will be proud of
every tear I ever cried.
And all of the old jokes we told
around the candle light,
To all those tender damsels
who had helped us in the night.
They just let it ride, ride let it ride,
Leavin’ on the evenin’ tide, Just let it ride.
(Guitar) I’m gonna let it ride. (Guitar)

Here’s to all the girls from London
and the ones from Montreal,
We never will forget them
We still fantasize them all.
I knew one in St. Louis
on a Missouri afternoon,
I met one up in Shanghai
and another in Rangoon.
I just let it ride, ride let it ride,
Leavin’ on the evenin’ tide, Just let it ride.
Ride ride ride, I’m gonna let it ride,
Leavin’ on the evenin’ tide, Just let it ride.

AND...I have to apologize profusely to Richard (Hkusam)!! I forgot to thank him for writing down the set list for me in Vegas!! Thank you, Richard!! (Or should I say... Al.... hehehe!!!) I couldn't have done it without you!!

You know, I just remembered another moment from the concert. In between songs, Gord was telling us about his recovery, being in the hospital, and afterward. He said he told his doctor his fingers weren't working very well and what should he do? He hadn't played the guitar in so long and he was worried. He said the doctor's response was like the old joke -- and then Gord told it: A man asked a cabbie in New York City, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" The cabbie replied, "Practice." "PRACTICE!" Gord said loudly. "He told me to practice. That's all it'll take." Another great Gord moment...